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A guide to canine parasiticides

Editors' note: These product descriptions and the quick reference charts are summaries only.* Readers are responsible for reading and becoming familiar with the entire manufacturer's product label or package insert and are encouraged to do so. This product guide contains selected parasiticides intended to be available to pet owners primarily through licensed veterinarians in the United States. This product guide is not intended to be a complete listing of all parasiticides available to veterinarians and to the public.

Advantage

Advantage (Bayer Animal Health), a monthly topical, contains 9.1% imidacloprid. It treats and prevents flea infestations in dogs and puppies 7 weeks of age and older and kills 98% to 100% of fleas within 12 hours. Larval stages of fleas in the dog's environment are killed after contact with a treated pet, and Advantage remains effective if an animal gets wet. Consultation with a veterinarian is required before use on medicated, debilitated, aged, pregnant, or nursing animals. It comes in four tube sizes for dogs.

Advantage Multi for Dogs

The once-a-month topical solution Advantage Multi (Bayer Animal Health) contains imidacloprid (10%) and moxidectin (2.5%). It prevents heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis and kills adult fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). It also treats and controls infection with hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala), roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), and whipworms (Trichuris vulpis). Advantage Multi is for use on dogs and puppies that are at least 7 weeks old and weigh at least 3 lb. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before administration. Safety has not been established in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Serious adverse reactions may occur if dogs ingest the product. Do not administer the product orally, and do not use it on cats. Ensure that the treated dog or other pets cannot lick the product from the application site. Children should not come in contact with the application site for two hours after application. Use with caution in sick, debilitated, or underweight animals. Advantage Multi is available in four tube sizes for dogs.

Capstar

Capstar (Novartis Animal Health) contains nitenpyram in two tablet sizes and is administered orally based on body weight. The product can be used in puppies and dogs 4 weeks of age and older and weighing at least 2 lb. It starts killing adult fleas within 30 minutes of administration and shows 90% effectiveness within four hours in dogs. It does not have an effect on fleas in the environment and can be used with other flea products to prevent and control fleas. It is safe for pregnant or nursing bitches. Dogs may scratch temporarily in response to the fleas dying.

Cestex

Cestex (Pfizer Animal Health), which contains epsiprantel, is a single-dose oral treatment for removing the tapeworms Dipylidium caninum and Taenia pisiformis in dogs. Cestex should not be used in puppies less than 7 weeks of age. Safety in pregnant or breeding animals has not been determined. It comes in four tablet sizes.

Comfortis

Comfortis (Lilly) contains spinosad for use in dogs and puppies 14 weeks of age and older. The monthly chewable tablet starts to kill fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) 30 minutes after administration and is 100% effective within four hours of administration. Use Comfortis with caution in breeding bitches and in dogs with pre-existing epilepsy. Safety has not been evaluated in breeding males. It is available in five tablet sizes.

Droncit

Droncit (Bayer Animal Health) contains praziquantel and is available in tablet and injectable forms. It is used to remove the tapeworms Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis, and Echinococcus granulosus and to remove and control infection with the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. The injectable solution can be given subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Droncit has been tested in breeding and pregnant dogs, and no adverse effects were noted. It is not intended for use in puppies less than 4 weeks old.

Drontal Plus

Drontal Plus (Bayer Animal Health) Taste Tabs and tablets contain praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate, and febantel and are available in three sizes. Drontal Plus is used to remove the tapeworms Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis, and Echinococcus granulosus; the hookworms Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala; the roundworms Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina; and the whipworm Trichuris vulpis. It also removes and controls infection with the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. Do not use this product in pregnant animals, puppies less than 3 weeks old, or dogs weighing less than 2 lb.